Separator having flow-directing and self-sealing discharge means



June 3, 1952 c. v. ORE ET AL 2,598,934

SEPARA' IOR HAVING FLQW-DIRECTING AND SELF-SEALING DISCHARGE MEANS FiledJune 15, 1948 w;V-- w Patented June 3, 1952 SEPARATOR HAVINGFLOW-DIRECTING AND SELF-SEALING DISCHARGE MEANS Carl V. Ore, Harvey, andJohn A. Logan Nicholson, Odin, 111.,

assignors to Roberts and Schaefer Company, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Application June 15, 1948, Serial No. 33,048

4 Claims.

the deck sections upwardly into the material bed thereon, and meansassociated with each deck section for discharging separated materialparticles therefrom. The raw material, which may be raw coal ofrelatively small particle size ranging from about down to and includingfinely comminuted dustlike particles, is fed to the material-receivingdeck at the elevated end thereof, moving along its inclined surfaceformed by the various deck sections and is subjected thereon to theaction of the air impulses in the presence of vibrations to effectstratification of its particles in accordance with their specificgravities. Coal, which is the lightest component of the raw feed,orients itself on top of the material bed and the heavier particles,constituting refuse, stratify underneath the coal for removal throughthe medium of the discharge means associated with the corresponding decksections.

An object of the invention is to provide new means forming intermediatedischarge paths, one associated with each deck section, or with aselected deck section, for removing separated material particlestherefrom, the new means being made and arranged so as to simplify thestructure of the separator and to improve its performance.

This object is realized by the provision of a chute forming the juncturebetween adjacent deck sections and projecting downwardly into the airbox, the chute being connected rigidly or, if desired, movably, with thecorresponding deck sections and vibrating therewith, and a stationaryhopper disposed in the air box having an upwardly flaring mouth forreceiving the separated material particles from the chute and directingsuch particles downwardly onto a traylike shelf contained in a dischargechamber which is likewise disposed within the air box. Separatedmaterial particles moving downwardly through the chute into the hopperform an air seal around the chute to prevent undesired escape of airfrom the air box into the discharge mechanism.

Another object is to provide for each intermediate discharge path a newinclined weir which projects adjustably from the material deck at thecorresponding intermediate discharge point into the material bed. ThisWeir is inclined in a direction opposte and at an angle to the flow ofthe material bed on the deck to operate in the manner of aflow-controlling and dischargediscriminating dam which regulates theflow of separated material particles from the corresponding deck sectionto its associated intermediate discharge means.

The objects and features intimated in the foregoing, as well asadditional objects and features, Will appear from the detaileddescription of embodiments of the invention, which is rendered belowwith reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a fractional diagrammatic view of an airflow separator withparts broken away and in section to indicate the structure andarrangement of an embodiment of the new fiow-control ling anddischarge-discriminating weir and an embodiment of the new meansassociated with the deck and forming the self-sealing path fordischarging separated material particles therefrom;

Fig. 2 illustrates the new structures of Fig. 1 diagrammatically insection on an enlarged scale, also showing the manner in which theseparated material particles are discharged; and

Fig. 3 represents a diagrammatic fractional sectional view of a modifiedintermediate discharge structure.

Like parts are indicated by like reference numerals. Known details willbe discussed only to the extent required for conveying an understandingof the invention.

As shown in Fig. l, the airflow separator comprises upright supports IIand 12 disposed on one side of the structure at the rear end thereof.Supports such as H and 12 are also provided on the other side. Similarupright supports (not shown) are arranged at the forward end of theseparator, toward the left of the structure shown in Fig. 1, as isparticularly disclosed in the previously mentioned patent. Side walls l3and 14 are disposed between upright supports such as II and thecorresponding uprights at the forward end of the separator forming anair box or chamber having a rearward extension which terminates in aduct I5 provided with a flutter valve [6. Air is supplied to the duct I5and is injected into the air chamber in the form of impulses responsiveto rotation of the valve I6.

The upright supports H and E2 on either side ley driven by suitablemeans such as a belt or chain from the motor and gear reducer I8 anddriving a shaft carrying an eccentric for actuating the links H! and 29which are part of a mechanism for regulating the supply oi raw materialparticles from the raw feed hopper 24 to the material-receiving deck ofthe machine. The

pulley shaft driven by the motor carries. an eccentric 22 which actuatesa link system, through the medium of the rod 54, for operating thevarious" intermediate discharge mechanisms yet to be described.

A pair of longitudinally extending inclined top supports 23 areprovided, one on each side of the machine, extending forwardly from theupright supportssuch as i I towardthe forward end Where they connectwith the correspondin frontal upright supports. Each longitudinal topsupport 23 may be made in the form of a channel member, with the channelthereof facing transversely inwardly or the structure, and each may bejoined with a downwardly and outwardly extending angular member such as25, forming on each side of the machine 2. depending shield. A dust hood25 extends upwardly from the longitudinal top supports 23 for drawingoff air from the material deck during the operation of the apparatus.

The longitudinal top supports 23 are provided with brackets 26 and 21,and'secured to each of these brackets is a downwardly dependingresilient member, e. g., a leaf spring, as indicated at 28 and'Zil,respectively. These leaf springs support the material-receiving deck.

The deckv comprises two longitudinally extending transversely spacedchannel members 30- and M, one on each side ofthe' machine, eachdisposed with its channel facing outwardly. E'ach channel member isprovided with a number of brackets, one for each leaf spring disposed onthe corresponding side, and the free end of each leaf spring is suitablyfastened to its associated bracket. 1 The pair or" transversely spacedchannel members 39 and 3| are thus resiliently suspended from thelongitudinal top supports 23. Secured to each channel member sc s1 is anall-:- gular member such as 32 extending upwardly and outwardlytherefrom to form the side walls of the troughlike materialrreceivingdeck. The dovvr1 wardly depending shield 24 and the upwardly extendingmember 32, on either side of the machine, may be connected by canvas orthe like.

The channel members 39' and 3! of the deck aretransversely'interconnected by partitions. forming groups of cells, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2. On top of each group of cells is provided asuitable air-p'ervious covering, and the bottom is formed by valveplates coacting with valve members, as

particularly described and referred to in the previously mentionedpatent, for admitting air thereinto in a controlled manner. Each cellcontains suitable resistance means such as marbles. Each group of cellswith its associated air-pervious coverin and its valved bottom forms asection of the material-receiving deck. The deck section formed by therearmost group of cells is indicated by numeral 35, and the next sectionin forward direction is indicated by numeral 36.

V The forward end of the deck section 35 is joined with the rearward endof the deck section 36 by means forming an intermediate discharge chutefor directing separated material particles from the deck section 35downwardly for discharge through the medium of a discharge mechanismwhich is particularly apparent from Fig. 2. The forward end of the decksection 33 is similarly joined with the rearward end of the nextadjacent deck section to form means for removing separated materialparticles through the medium or" a like intermediate dischargemechanism. Each pair of successive deck sections may be similarly joinedandprovided with means for discharging material particles which havebeen separated on the preceding. deck section.

The novcltyin the present invention is particularly directed to theprovision of the new flowcontrolling and discharge-discriminating weirand :to the; provision of the new means forming a self-sealing path forthe separated material to direct such material into the associateddischarge mechanism, and will be particularly described withreferenceto-Fig. after first completing the general description ofthe-structure.

The side walls i3 and Id, defining the air box or chamber in lateraldirection, are joined with the channelmembers Bil and 3|, respectively,by canvas bellows .tTJ-Airinjected into the air chamber-is thus directedunderneath the deck sections for upflo-w' through the resistance cellstherein and through the associated air-pervious coverings intothematerial bed moving along the troughlike deck.

A member 38 secured to the deck, and particularly to the channel-shapedsupporting members 39 and (il extends rearward ly therefrom, forming asup-pert for a, vibrator 39 which is actuated bya pui'ley E0 connectedwith a drive, for exampie, the motor 41- positioned on a shelf 52 whichis mounted on the upright supports l2. Vibrations maythus be imported tothe deck and its iii) various deck sections such as 35 and $6. In orderto dampen and control the vibrations, there is provided a resilientbalancing mechanism comprising spring means indicated at 43, furnishinga resilient'baIa-nci-ng support for the extension 33, and therefore forthe deck through the medium of a connecting member 44.

Substantially underneath each intermediate discharge or takeofi', thatis, each intermediate discharge extendingfrom the juncture of twoadjacent deck sections, is provided a discharge casing or chamber formedby walls 45 which extend transversely'within the air chamber or air boxdefined by the side walls l3 and I4. Within this discharge chamber isprovided a transverseiy extendingarcuate traylike member 56 forreceiving separated material particles dropping down from the associatedintermediate discharge chute. A scraper 41 is disposed within thedischarge chamber for oscillation relative to the tray 46 by means ofarms 48 secured to a shaft 49. The shaft 89 extends to the outside andis provided With'an arm such as 55 (see Fig. l) which may be oscillatedby an arm 5! pivotally linked to it and adjustably linked to an arcuatepivotally mounted member 52 which in turn'is linked to a member 53. Thelatter is connected with the rod 54 which is actuated by the eccentric22. Accordingly, when the eccentric 22 is rotated by the motor and gearreducer l3, the rod 54 will be pushed back and forth, actuating the link53 and therewith the arm 52, thus transmitting oscillations through thearm 5f to the link such as 5!] and oscillating the shaft 49 andtherewith the scraper 61 relative to the tray 45, thereby pushing offmeasured amounts of material from the tray 46 onto the screw 55 whichdischarges the material particles transversely for removal through thechute 56.

Each and every one of the intermediate discharge mechanisms contains thestructure briefly outlined above, and the description of one willtherefore sufiice for all. The previously mentioned patent may beconsulted for more detained explanations and references as to thestructures of the various mechanisms incorporated in the separator.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2: The new flow-controlling anddischarge-discriminating weir is an angular member indicated byreference numeral 66 which extends transversely of the deck within theside walls formed by the members 32. It is secured to the rearward endof the deck section 36 and is vertically adjustable thereon. The weirmay be attached by means of screws engaging the rear end of deck section36 through slots in the member 68. It will be observed that the weirmember is formed to extend at an angle in the direction generallyopposite to the flow of the material bed on the deck. It thus acts inthe manner of a knife extending angularly into the material bed withoutcausing undesired eddies, thus minimizing frictional forces that maydisturb the stratified flow of the bed. The weir is initially adjustedat a proper height so as to dam substantially only that part of thestratified bottom layer of the material bed which should be directed fordischarge at this point of the deck. In other words, the weir is soadjusted as to project into the material bed to such an extent that itoperates as a discharge-discriminating member; that is to say, itexercises a discharge-discriminating and also a flow-controllingfunction, damming or banking for discharge only material which should beremoved at the corresponding point of the deck.

The discharge path is formed by a chute comprising the downwardlydepending section 65 joined with the section 66. Both sections arerectangular in shape, extending transversely of the structure and arepart of the deck and vibrating with it. Secured to the discharge chamberor casing 45 on top thereof is a hopper 61 which is stationary with thedischarge chamber 45 and therewith stationary with thelower portion ofthe apparatus. The hopper 61 forms an upwardly flaring mouth surroundingthe downwardly extending chute 66.

The operation may be briefly summarized in order to support theunderstanding of the structure discussed in the foregoing.

Raw material is fed from the hopper 2| by a feed mechanism (not shown)which is actuated by the links l9-20, feeding it in regulated manneronto the elevated rearward end of the deck, that is, onto the rearwardportion of the deck section 35. The motor 4| actuates the vibrator 39,thereby vibrating the deck with all its deck sections as a unit. Airimpulses are injected into the compartment of the air box or chamberimmediately below the first deck section 35 which is disposed to theright of the discharge casing or chamber 45. The casing 45 is connectedwith the bottom of the structure through a valve mechanismdiagrammatically indicated at 1B which may be adjusted so as to admitair into the next compartment for upflow through the air-pervious decksection 36. The forward end of the deck section 36 is joined with therearward end of the next deck section in the same manner as the forwardend of deck section 35 is joined with the rearward end of the decksection 36, to form an intermediate discharge, and this discharge isprovided with a similar discharge mechanism which removes separatedmaterial through the chute H. The discharge casing coacting with thesecond intermediate discharge is likewise provided with a valvemechanism such as 10 for admitting air in controlled manner to the nextsuccessive compartment of the air chamber which supplies air impulses tothe thirddeck section of the apparatus. Each succeeding deck section issimilarly associated with discharge means of like structure.

The raw material stratifles on the deck under the influence of themechanical vibrations in the presence of the air impulses injectedtherethrough, and the raw material particles which stratify at thebottom of the first deck section 35 are drawn off through theintermediate takeoff or discharge particularly shown in Fig. 2. Thisportion of the material at the bottom of the material bed is banked ordammed, as shown in Fig. 2, by the new weir, the remaining portion ofthe material bed continuing to flow onto the next deck section 36, withaminimum amount of disturbance and mechanical friction. The separatedmaterial particles drop down into the chute 65, continuing to flowdownwardly through the chute extension 66 and through the downwardlydirected neck in the upper portion of the discharge chamber 45, andaccumulate on the tray 46 at an angle of repose which normally wouldinhibit discharge and would merely result in piling up material abovethe tray and within the chute portions 66. Controlled amounts ofmaterials are scraped off from the tray 46 by the oscillation of thescraper 41 and are discharged onto the screw 55 for removal into thechute 56, as previously mentioned.

The discharge of material from the casing 45 is regulated so as tomaintain within the hopper 6! and the chute sections 65-66 an amount ofmaterial which always extends upwardly to the bottom layer of thematerial bed on the deck. In other words, only that amount of materialis actually continuously Withdrawn by operation of the scraper 41, whichis actually separated on the deck section 35. Material'partieles thusaround the lower portion of the downwardly extending chute section 66within the hopper 61, as indicated by numeral 80, surrounding the lowerportion of the chute 66 and thus forming a seal which prevents injectionof air from the air chamber into the discharg casing 45.

The structure simplifies the construction of the separator, eliminatingspecial provisions for an air seal which otherwise would be necessary,thereby also simplifying maintenance and reducing to a minimum the needfor repair and replacements.

The chute sections 6566 are rigidly connected with the deck and vibratetherewith. The deck is vibrated at relatively high frequency lyingwithin a range of from about 800 to about 1400 oscillations per minuteand at relatively small amplitude which is approximately that is to say,about 1%" measured from a median center line when the machine is atrest. It must be considered, however, that the correct operation is notinstantaneously effective upon starting the machine, but only after thestarting period is completed, when the vibration equilibrium is finallyreached. Initially upon starting the machine and also shortly before themachine comes to rest,

7 responsive toturning off the various motors, the oscillations are ofconsiderably greater amplitude The. hopper 61, having the flaring mouthas shown,;gives. ample. room for the initial and for the terminaldisplacement of the chute section 66 to provide for the initial andterminal oscillationsf of increased amplitude, and the air seal and 66b.The portion 66b is providedwith arcuate i sidewalls i35+-86 and withstraight and walls, one of Whichis indicated at 81. The end walls engagethe opposite. end walls of the chute 56a, and the arcuate wall sections2ri555 engage the corre sponding curved lower wall portions of the.chute 6611 marked by numeral 88. The connection betweenthe upper arcuateportion of the chute 65b withthe. lower portion of the chute section 86ais secured by pivot pins 89. The lower portion of the chute section 6517extending into the hopper 51a. may be secured by pivotpins such as 90,one holding each end wall of the chute section 662) pivotally connectedwith the corresponding end wall of the hopper 61a. The end walls 87 ofthe chute section 66b ar provided with slots, as shown, for coactionwith the associated pivot pins. The remaining structure of themechanism, corresponds to that discussed in connection with Figs. 1 and2.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the operation is similar to thatalready described, except that the vibrations of the deck are translatedinto an angular displacement of the chute'section @512, which extendsinto the hopper 61a, because the two chute sections. 65a and 56b arearticulated, as shown and described. Accordingly, the, chute section651) will be displaced angularly about the pivot point Bil, resulting ina downwardly diminishing angular displacement with respect to the'ma'terial piling up within the hopper 570., the lower portion of thechute 63b remaining substantially stationary, at any rate not beingsubjected to vibrations in rectilinear direction, as is the case in thepreviously described embodiment. There is, therefore, less disturbanceof the material piling around the lower portion of the chute section(it?) and thus securing a more effective seal against ingress of airfrom the air boxsintothe discharge mechanism;

Finely comm-muted material seeping down through the resistance bedformed by the marbles within the air cells of the various deck sectionsis removed from the air chamber by'means of the screws 95 for dischargethrough the chute 96.

The previously mentioned patent and the prior art Patents 2,245,942, andRe. 21,682 cited therein may be consulted for details not specificallymentioned or fully explained in the foregoing description.

While the features of the present invention 1 i are particularlyapplicable to airflow separators of the type disclosed in the previouslymentioned patent, it is understood that they are not inherently limitedthereto, and may find use in different types of separators or likeapparatus within the scope and limits. of the appended claims. :It islikewise understood that the ma terial to-be'separated: neednot be coalwithin the size-range. discussed, but may be other material, forexample, various minerals and ores, and.v thatthe size ranges maylikewise 'be different.

Changes. may be made within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. Ina pneumatic; coalseparator oi the class described having anairr-pervious. elongated troughlike coal-separating deck provided with atransversely extending intermediate discharge slot which subdivides saiddeck to form a pair of adjacent longitudinal-ly'successive air-perviousdeck sections disposed vibratably on top of a sub stantially'unitarystationary housing forming an air chamber for said deck sections whichis com mon thereto and through which air is delivered under pressure.ior upward escape through said, pair of air-pervious deck sections andhaving means. for vibrating said deck sections as a unit and astationary discharge casing disposed in said air chamber for receivingseparated material particles from said'discharge slot, a device fordelivering separated material particles from said discharge slot into.said discharge casing comprising means rigidly connected with said ad-J'a-cent. decksections forming a rigid chute leading downwardly fromsaid slot into said air chamher, said rigid chute being vibratable withsaid deck sections, means forming a chute extension leading downwardlyfrom said rigid chute, and means in said air chamber iorming an upwardlyand outwardly flaring hopper connected with said discharge casing ontop. thereof, said chute extension proiecting downwardly into saidhopper with :its. free lower end disposed substantially at the.narrowest portion thereof, ingress of air from said chamber into saidchute means and into said discharge casing, respectively, be in blockedby material particles massing within said hopperaround said chuteextension which projects therein-to.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said chute extension isdisposed movably relative to said rigid chute.

3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said chute extension isrotatably mounted on said rigid chute means.

4 The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the-upper; end of said chuteextension is rotatably connected with the lower end of said rigid chute.means. and wherein the lower end thereof is pivotally connected. withsaid hopper.

CARL V". ORE. JOHN'A. NICHOLSON.

CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

N TED STATES PATENTS Number, Name Date 1,682,820 Wolf Sept. 4, 19282,086,584 Stump July 13, 1937 2,149,744 Nichols Mar. 7, 1939 2,261,278Peale et al Nov. 4, 1941 2,273,296 Stump Feb. 17, 1942 2,303,367Kendall'et' al. Dec. 1, 1942 2,334,337 Lawry Nov. 16, 1943 2,3743%Hawortlr May 1, 1945

